The Day the Earth Moved

Tsuyoshi Takahashi, a 6th grader, lived in eastern Kobe with his parents and younger brother. Tsuyoshi was very ambitious and hoped to enter a prestigious private school, so his days were filled with study. Whenever asked by anyone for a favor, Tsuyoshi resented having to give up his free time. In the early morning hours of January 17, 1995, a massive earthquake rocked Kobe City. Tsuyoshi and his family managed to escape from their shattered home and evacuated to his school. The problems of communal living and rationing, as well as the selfless example of the many volunteers, are lessons the children are soon to learn. (Source: Eleven Arts)

Chikyuu ga Ugoita Hi is based on Etsuko Kishikawa's 1996 children's novel of the same name, which is set during the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake in Kobe. It was Japan's worst earthquake in the 20th century after the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake.